NLOTH Week 3

[ultraviolet353]

I am not a huge Coldplay fan--I do like the band. VLV may be one the best radio singles of the past decade--it went to #1 in the US. A huge feat for an alt band to accomplish amongst all the trash. What I like about VLV the album is it it is the band being themselves, while at the same time breaking new ground (Strawberry Swing is their best song to date)--there is no compromise. VLV is their most daring record and yet it sold a ton. I find NLOTH misses on these points--and compromises too much--something that is pointless--U2 needs to challenge not compromise. The compromise will not get them anywhere sales wise, and they end up with an uneven record that still falls short.

 

[Irishteen]

WEAK WEEK: After a week in which three albums sold more than 100k, we'll be back to the retail doldrums next week, with no significant debuts, leaving Kelly Clarkson and U2 to fight it out for the top spot, both projecting below the six-figure mark. From the first-day reads, it appears the highest debut next week will be P. Diddy's Bad Boy/Atlantic act Gorilla Zoe in the 20-25k range. Other chart newcomers include Warner Bros.' Static-X (15-20k), Warner Bros. Nashville's Randy Travis (10-15k) and Psychopathic's Twiztid, from the Insane Clown Posse camp (10-15k). The market was down 6% vs. last week, down a deleterious 17% vs. same week last year and down 12% year to date.

 

[ultraviolet353]

It is still #1 on Amazon U.S, which is nice. I am really looking towards the tour sales--If they sell out stadiums in the U.S., U2 will be able to spin slow album sales as a new direction of experimentation (even though, that is not what the album really is)--and they will grab a bunch of Grammys--and all will be perceived positively. If they do not sell out stadiums in the U.S., the album might take Pop's place as the conventional wisdom's biggest U2 failure-; which is funny to me as Pop is their best record.

 

[fedeu2]

I am not a huge Coldplay fan--I do like the band. VLV may be one the best radio singles of the past decade--it went to #1 in the US. A huge feat for an alt band to accomplish amongst all the trash. What I like about VLV the album is it it is the band being themselves, while at the same time breaking new ground (Strawberry Swing is their best song to date)--there is no compromise. VLV is their most daring record and yet it sold a ton. I find NLOTH misses on these points--and compromises too much--something that is pointless--U2 needs to challenge not compromise. The compromise will not get them anywhere sales wise, and they end up with an uneven record that still falls short.

Naturally, it´s all matter of opinion. For me, VLV is Coldplay´s weakest effort, yeap, worse than X&Y. And I don´t think I´m alone here (see RS review for instance, the gave the album 3,5 stars).
Meanwhile, I consider NLOTH the best U2 record since AB.
I would have loved to be there when Martin first heard NLOTH. I guess he immediately phoned Eno and asked: "why on earth our record didn´t sound anything like this. That was the whole point of having you with us in the studio!"

 

[Chizip]

i have a hard time believing Magnificent is going to be a radio hit that saves this album in terms of sales

 

[ultraviolet353]

To me, judging a U2 record is always about degrees of greatness--I also never render a final decision until the next album comes out (if that makes sense)--for ex. HTDAAB feel like a better record to me than it did 6 months ago. I really like NLOTH, but for some reason I rank it at the bottom of the what I feel are the modern era records (post R&H). Crazy and SUC really bother me. WAS seems too minimalist, and comes off as a Lanois b-side (BTW, I love Lanois).--Boots has the elements, but misses--especially lyrically--and that gets me to the why the album as a whole does not resonate with me as much as I'd like. It seems detached--lacking spirit and emotional connection in favor of disjointed pop culture references--I do like the lyrics on NLOTH, UC, Breathe and COL.

Regardless of what people's opinions are, this album will not sell well--I am convinced of this--and it has nothing to do with file sharing--it's the fact that a good U2 record will not sell--they needed a great record that broke the rules, and this is not it.

 

[Irishteen]

I don't know how anyone can complain about WAS, it's B's best lyric in years

 

[fedeu2]

I don't know how anyone can complain about WAS, it's B's best lyric in years

And an outstanding vocal performance that is.

 

[fedeu2]

To me, judging a U2 record is always about degrees of greatness--I also never render a final decision until the next album comes out (if that makes sense)--for ex. HTDAAB feel like a better record to me than it did 6 months ago. I really like NLOTH, but for some reason I rank it at the bottom of the what I feel are the modern era records (post R&H). Crazy and SUC really bother me. WAS seems too minimalist, and comes off as a Lanois b-side (BTW, I love Lanois).--Boots has the elements, but misses--especially lyrically--and that gets me to the why the album as a whole does not resonate with me as much as I'd like. It seems detached--lacking spirit and emotional connection in favor of disjointed pop culture references--I do like the lyrics on NLOTH, UC, Breathe and COL.

Regardless of what people's opinions are, this album will not sell well--I am convinced of this--and it has nothing to do with file sharing--it's the fact that a good U2 record will not sell--they needed a great record that broke the rules, and this is not it.

I kind of disagree. Why ask U2 for a groundbreaking record in order to sell well when this is not needed for other bands? I mean, it´s not like ACDC put out the best record of their career right? It sounds like the same old crap they´ve been doing for the last two decades. And still, look at the numbers.
Another example, Green day´s American Idiot, hugely successful record.
It´s a mediocre album in my eyes and again, nothing earth shattering. Bomb is a much better album and it sold several millions less.
And please, don´t get me started with the r&b crap that has been dominating the airwaves for a decade or more now.

 

[youarenotimmune]

if i remember correctly, it was more than 2 years after its release before achtung baby even STARTED getting recognized as a great album. and as far as sales go, seriously, who gives a shit!! i mean, look at the "artists" who r selling more than U2; american idol winners....ex-boyband members....U2 cover bands!!! now that's just funny

 

[lov12113]

Hey guys, Magnificent is actually doing really well on US. radio, considering that it has only been "officially" released to radio for a couple of weeks. This is currently it's second week on Alternative and it is heading in the direction of breaking in to the top 20 by the end of the week (moving through 20 positions in 2 weeks is a solid start for any single on Alternative), It will be somewhere between #1 and #3 on Triple A, and it is now being added like crazy to the Hot AC format. Before it is finished on radio, Magnificent will probably end up dominating Triple A, at least make the top 10, possibly top 5 on Alternative (and I wouldn't be surprised to see it right at the top of the Alternative chart), top of the rock chart, and probably a top 10 appearance on Hot AC. These are reasonable estimates. These are also almost identical to Vertigo's radio performance.

What I'm saying is that Magnificent is moving up the radio charts pretty fast and will likely have similar radio success to Vertigo. It is a song that can do well on rock radio as well as softer radio formats. Magnificent will probably out-perform Boots on radio and it will help boost sales quite a bit. I wouldn't be surprised to see this song alone account for another 500k-1 million sales in the USA.

I think the album, on the strength of Magnificent, will eventually break 2x million in the USA.

 

[Native_Son]

I kind of disagree. Why ask U2 for a groundbreaking record in order to sell well when this is not needed for other bands? I mean, it´s not like ACDC put out the best record of their career right? It sounds like the same old crap they´ve been doing for the last two decades. And still, look at the numbers.
Another example, Green day´s American Idiot, hugely successful record.
It´s a mediocre album in my eyes and again, nothing earth shattering. Bomb is a much better album and it sold several millions less.
And please, don´t get me started with the r&b crap that has been dominating the airwaves for a decade or more now.

American idiot had v good initial sales but was fading fast. then boulevard of broken dreams came out, went to #2 in the US for many weeks, similar sucess elseswhere, the album leaps back to the top spot everywhere 3-4 months after release. yet sgain the importance of a massive hit single.

from mediatraffic. 2004 sales were
HTDAAB ~5.3
American Idiot~ 3.7

2005 sales:
HTDAAB ~ 3M
american idiot ~ 8M

 

[Native_Son]

Meanwhile, I consider NLOTH the best U2 record since AB.
I would have loved to be there when Martin first heard NLOTH. I guess he immediately phoned Eno and asked: "why on earth our record didn´t sound anything like this. That was the whole point of having you with us in the studio!"

 

[Native_Son]

WEAK WEEK: After a week in which three albums sold more than 100k, we'll be back to the retail doldrums next week, with no significant debuts, leaving Kelly Clarkson and U2 to fight it out for the top spot, both projecting below the six-figure mark. From the first-day reads, it appears the highest debut next week will be P. Diddy's Bad Boy/Atlantic act Gorilla Zoe in the 20-25k range. Other chart newcomers include Warner Bros.' Static-X (15-20k), Warner Bros. Nashville's Randy Travis (10-15k) and Psychopathic's Twiztid, from the Insane Clown Posse camp (10-15k). The market was down 6% vs. last week, down a deleterious 17% vs. same week last year and down 12% year to date.

the sales say it all. i thought P Diddy was big in america? and thats all he can manage in first week. its a long shot but U2 may even outsell kelly clarkson in the next 1-2 weeks could put them back at #1

 

[GibsonExplorer]

p diddy had only one multiplatinum record way back in 97

 

[KUEFC09U2]

the sales say it all. i thought P Diddy was big in america? and thats all he can manage in first week. its a long shot but U2 may even outsell kelly clarkson in the next 1-2 weeks could put them back at #1

But yet some people keep going on about how its U2 "Failing" etc etc, when in actual fact we can see that sales are well down for EVERYONE and U2'S first week sales where actually very impressive at this stage!.

 

[zwervers2]

i have a hard time believing Magnificent is going to be a radio hit that saves this album in terms of sales

You are right Chizip and it will not even be a huge hit. In fact; there is not one hit on this record and like I said 1,5 months ago or something allready, this album will be a lowpoint in sales for U2 and will sell less copies than Viva la vida. There is NO WAY that they will sell 8 million copies with this music. If you could bet on something like this I would put in every penny I own.

It is all because of the horror called get on your boots. Today I was thinking about this. would I want to buy the U2 album(providing I would not be a fan) after hearing boots. Absolutely not There is no fucking way that there are a lot of people who will become a fan because of that song and I believe U2 made a huge mistake wih their first single choice.

 

[beLIEve]

Wow, lot's of hate for NLOTH...or at best "not a lot of love". I really, really like it, though, so as someone already said, it's a matter of opinion. It has been very well reviewed by Rolling Stone (5 out of 5) and USA Today (4 out of 4), and I happen to agree with those reviews.

Songs I love on this album include the title track, Magnificent, MOS, UC, SUC. Songs I like include Boots, Breathe, and WAS. Crazy doesn't bother me, I'm indifferent. Cedars of Lebanon is growing on me. I do wish Xanax and Wine could have been held back and replaced Crazy on this album. Replace any outside my top 5, or add it as a 12th song, and Mercy would have been the icing in the cake for me. Just MHO...and that's what's great about U2.

For a band that's closing out it's 5th decade together, having the #1 album in the WORLD for 2 weeks and counting is very impressive, regardless of the numbers. I do think Magnificent can be a worldwide hit. As for Boots, how can any song that gets to #24 in the WORLD be called a complete flop or disaster? It was not a smash hit, but a hit nonetheless.

I am really curious to see if U2 can sell out stadiums in the U.S. on their tour. I don't think any other bands or artist could do that in this country in 2009 given the depressed economy. How many bands could sell out stadiums in Europe right now, too? I don't know if the concerts already announced sold out in hours or days...but the last I checked, every annoucned show w/tickets available was sold out already, save perhaps an added show somewhere due to the 1st date being sold out so quickly.

This tour is going to last well into 2010, and don't forget about Grammy's, Christmas selling season, a possible sister-album, the possiblity of a single catching fire, etc. I'm just not ready to throw in the towel just yet on NLOTH, as it's my favorite album since AB. Even if I'm in the minority on that, I don't care. It's all I've been listening to since it came out, and the last time I remember doing that was AB, but I did not immediately love AB...in fact, it was only after seeing my first Zoo TV concert that I began to really like AB...finally falling in love with it perhaps about a year after it's release.

 

[KUEFC09U2]

You are right Chizip and it will not even be a huge hit. In fact; there is not one hit on this record and like I said 1,5 months ago or something allready, this album will be a lowpoint in sales for U2 and will sell less copies than Viva la vida. There is NO WAY that they will sell 8 million copies with this music. If you could bet on something like this I would put in every penny I own.

It is all because of the horror called get on your boots. Today I was thinking about this. would I want to buy the U2 album(providing I would not be a fan) after hearing boots. Absolutely not There is no fucking way that there are a lot of people who will become a fan because of that song and I believe U2 made a huge mistake wih their first single choice.

But yet you claimed to "love" GOYB when it first came out, you also claimed you like the album, and now your making comments like "There is NO WAY that they will sell 8 million copies WITH THIS MUSIC", so which is it? you like it? you dont like it?,

as for magnificent i think its a bit hollow for people to already be stating that it wont be a hit, as has already been stated violet hill wasnt a hit for coldplay, yet there SECOND single (which magnificent is also to U2) was huge, but yet people are already claiming as fact that it wont be a hit, despite its actual climb on US radio,

strange.

 

[Irishteen]

U2 again fifth on the UK midweeks with only 10,800 sales

 

[Chizip]

But yet you claimed to "love" GOYB when it first came out, you also claimed you like the album, and now your making comments like "There is NO WAY that they will sell 8 million copies WITH THIS MUSIC", so which is it? you like it? you dont like it?,

as for magnificent i think its a bit hollow for people to already be stating that it wont be a hit, as has already been stated violet hill wasnt a hit for coldplay, yet there SECOND single (which magnificent is also to U2) was huge, but yet people are already claiming as fact that it wont be a hit, despite its actual climb on US radio,

strange.

isn't it possible to like an album but also think it won't sell well? i really like NLOTH but i dont think it's the type of album that will become a big seller. i like the song magnificent, but i dont see it being the type of song my younger sister and her friends will be getting into. i think coldplays VLV is a catchier song than M.

 

[KUEFC09U2]

U2 again fifth on the UK midweeks with only 10,800 sales

I think the fact that selling 10,800 gets you 5th shows you just how bad cd sales are in genral, rather than it being a U2 only problem.

 

[doctorwho]

I think the fact that selling 10,800 gets you 5th shows you just how bad cd sales are in genral, rather than it being a U2 only problem.

Plus, I think there will be one more week of drops before we start to see smaller drops and stabilization. This is true for all albums (except during the holidays, where holiday sales can keep an album going steady - even have increases - for a few weeks).

One shouldn't pay too close attention to an actual chart ranking either. AB spent only one week on top, but is certified as 8x Platinum in the U.S. ATYCLB spent a scant 3 weeks in the Top 10, and never reached #1, yet went on to sell over 4M copies in the U.S. and be U2's fourth best selling album ever (after JT, AB, and R&H).

Chart positions can vary by small sales amounts. NLOTH could sell 21,000 copies and rank #5. The #4 album only has to sell one more copy.

I'm more interested in how this album will do in June and July in Europe and then in the fall in the U.S. (or if "Magnificent" kicks in).

 

[Irishteen]

I think the fact that selling 10,800 gets you 5th shows you just how bad cd sales are in genral, rather than it being a U2 only problem.

There's still 3 days of sales left, so it won't be 10,800 for fifth in the end. Still sales are low, unless the album has a big single it won't have a chance of double platinum in the UK I don't think

 

[fedeu2]

You are right Chizip and it will not even be a huge hit. In fact; there is not one hit on this record and like I said 1,5 months ago or something allready, this album will be a lowpoint in sales for U2 and will sell less copies than Viva la vida. There is NO WAY that they will sell 8 million copies with this music. If you could bet on something like this I would put in every penny I own.

It is all because of the horror called get on your boots. Today I was thinking about this. would I want to buy the U2 album(providing I would not be a fan) after hearing boots. Absolutely not There is no fucking way that there are a lot of people who will become a fan because of that song and I believe U2 made a huge mistake wih their first single choice.

I bet you would have said exactly the same if this forum had existed back in 1991 when The fly was released.

With Magnificent and Crazy I think the album has a chance to have strong sales for a few months.

 

[KUEFC09U2]

There's still 3 days of sales left, so it won't be 10,800 for fifth in the end. Still sales are low, unless the album has a big single it won't have a chance of double platinum in the UK I don't think

Again its a bit early to say that, granted it could take over a year, but this album WILL be nominated for a brit (probabley for best international band, album of the year, and best live act), so who knows? they win one of those the album will take off again even though we might have a new one!,

all i am getting at is, U2 will still be in the top 5, and to see sales of 10,800 getting into that position just shows how much of a situation the actual music industry is in rather than how U2 are failing, infact i bet the number 1 doesnt even reach 100k, which U2 sailed over in their first week.

 

[fedeu2]

Wow, lot's of hate for NLOTH...or at best "not a lot of love". I really, really like it, though, so as someone already said, it's a matter of opinion. It has been very well reviewed by Rolling Stone (5 out of 5) and USA Today (4 out of 4), and I happen to agree with those reviews.

Songs I love on this album include the title track, Magnificent, MOS, UC, SUC. Songs I like include Boots, Breathe, and WAS. Crazy doesn't bother me, I'm indifferent. Cedars of Lebanon is growing on me. I do wish Xanax and Wine could have been held back and replaced Crazy on this album. Replace any outside my top 5, or add it as a 12th song, and Mercy would have been the icing in the cake for me. Just MHO...and that's what's great about U2.

For a band that's closing out it's 5th decade together, having the #1 album in the WORLD for 2 weeks and counting is very impressive, regardless of the numbers. I do think Magnificent can be a worldwide hit. As for Boots, how can any song that gets to #24 in the WORLD be called a complete flop or disaster? It was not a smash hit, but a hit nonetheless.

I am really curious to see if U2 can sell out stadiums in the U.S. on their tour. I don't think any other bands or artist could do that in this country in 2009 given the depressed economy. How many bands could sell out stadiums in Europe right now, too? I don't know if the concerts already announced sold out in hours or days...but the last I checked, every annoucned show w/tickets available was sold out already, save perhaps an added show somewhere due to the 1st date being sold out so quickly.

This tour is going to last well into 2010, and don't forget about Grammy's, Christmas selling season, a possible sister-album, the possiblity of a single catching fire, etc. I'm just not ready to throw in the towel just yet on NLOTH, as it's my favorite album since AB. Even if I'm in the minority on that, I don't care. It's all I've been listening to since it came out, and the last time I remember doing that was AB, but I did not immediately love AB...in fact, it was only after seeing my first Zoo TV concert that I began to really like AB...finally falling in love with it perhaps about a year after it's release.

I wholeheartedly agree with you on Mercy. Too bad they didn´t include it in the album. I love Crazy though and I deem MOS one of the best 10 songs U2 have ever produced.
If the guys are able to nail the songs live, I´m pretty sure I will end up liking this album as much as AB or JT.
´Cos let´s be honest, few of us would consider AB the best U2 album if the live versions of most of the songs werent so much better than in the album.

 

[Zooropa man]

oh god... not another Mercy thread PLEASE!!!!

 

[ajax]

There's still 3 days of sales left, so it won't be 10,800 for fifth in the end. Still sales are low, unless the album has a big single it won't have a chance of double platinum in the UK I don't think

You should also take into consideration the impact of the uk tour in late August. So, given the tour and the 3 singles to come off the album, i believe that NLOTH will easily get a double platinum certification.
Ps. According to ukmix forum, NLOTH was officially certified platinum today in the UK.

 

[Irishteen]

Again its a bit early to say that, granted it could take over a year, but this album WILL be nominated for a brit (probabley for best international band, album of the year, and best live act), so who knows? they win one of those the album will take off again even though we might have a new one!,

all i am getting at is, U2 will still be in the top 5, and to see sales of 10,800 getting into that position just shows how much of a situation the actual music industry is in rather than how U2 are failing, infact i bet the number 1 doesnt even reach 100k, which U2 sailed over in their first week.

The interesting thing is the UK market isn't freefalling like the US one, it's pretty stable, I actually think album sales at this point in the year might be higher or the same as this time last year. U2 should make 3rd best selling album of the year in the UK behind Kings of Leon (430k +) and Lily Allen (230+). Kings of Leon look like 2008 and 2009 will be their year in the UK though